Parmeet Sethi, the writer and director of the 2010 film Badmaash Company, almost didn't cast Anushka Sharma in the lead role. In a recent interview, Sethi revealed that he initially had reservations about Sharma, who had just made her debut in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

Sethi was looking for someone who embodied a modern, outspoken, and confident persona for the role. Having seen Sharma in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, he felt her image was too "Indianised" for what he envisioned.

Despite Sethi's initial hesitation, Aditya Chopra, the head of Yash Raj Films (YRF), strongly recommended Sharma for the part. Chopra insisted that Sethi meet her, assuring him that she was very talented. Sethi recalled Chopra saying, "Yaar, she is very good. You just meet her once".

Sethi eventually agreed to meet with Sharma, and his preconceived notions quickly vanished. After the meeting, he realized that she possessed the qualities he was seeking for the character. Sharma's audition further solidified Sethi's decision, and she was officially cast in Badmaash Company.

Badmaash Company, a commercial success, revolves around four young individuals who embark on an entrepreneurial journey in the 1990s. The film, made with a budget of ₹20 crore, earned ₹50.96 crore worldwide.

Interestingly, Sethi wrote Badmaash Company "out of frustration" when another project he was working on faced obstacles. He had written a romantic drama titled Prince of Lahore, which was approved by YRF. However, due to the release of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and later the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, the film was delayed and eventually shelved.

Aditya Chopra then encouraged Sethi to write a new script, which led to the creation of Badmaash Company. Sethi completed the script in just six days.

Shahid Kapoor was cast in the lead role, although he initially declined the offer. Kapoor initially wanted to work on his father's film but changed his mind after reading the script for Badmaash Company.